RESUMO
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of KCa3.1 channel on the function of EPCs. METHODS: The gene expression of KCa3.1, vWF and CD31 on EPCs were detected by qRT-PCR. CCK-8 kit, cell adherent method and Matrigel were used to detect the changes of cell proliferation, adhesion and in vitro angiogenesis; cell immunofluorescence or fluorescence activated cell sorter(FACS) was used to detect the protein expression of KCa3.1, vWF, CD31, integrin β1, integrin β3 separately. RESULTS: Blocking the function of KCa3.1 or interfering with the expression of KCa3.1 can attenuated EPC function of proliferation, adhesion and angiogenesis, but it can promote the differentiation of EPCs. Overexpression or activation of KCa3.1 channel can enhance EPCs proliferation, adhesion and angiogenesis but decrease the level of differentiation. The expression of integrin β1 on EPCs was attenuated with blocking KCa3.1 channel, but the expression effect was reversible by the activator. CONCLUSION: The alteration of KCa3.1 channel function or expression affect the biological characteristics and differentiation of EPCs.